Brick-machine



' (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. L. CARMAN.

BRICK MACHINE. Y

No. 874,888. Patented-Dec. zo, 1887; f

`5 sheets-.sheet 2; C. L. CA'RMAN.

. BRICK MACHINE.

(No Model.)

No. 374,938. Patented Dee.v 20, 1887.

N. percus. PmMJmgmpmr. wmingxon. no

5 Sheets-Sheet 3'.

(No Model.)

G. L.l CAR-MAN.

BRICK MACHINE.

P-atentedwDeo'. 20, 1887'.

Jaren-f?? (No Model.) Y 5 sheets-sheet 4.

C. L. CARMAN.

BRIGK MACHINE. No. 374,938.- Patented Dec. 20, 1887;

o La- .52 e

N. PETERS mw-mhogmpm. washington. D. C.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets--Slleet 5.

C. L. CLARMAN.`

BRICK MAGHlNE.

No. 374.938. Patented Deo. 20, 1887.

Nv PETERS, Phmo'mmngmpher, wnshngmw D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. CARMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRICK-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part; of Letters Patent No. 374,938, dated December 2OI 1887.

Application filed April 5, 1886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. CARMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick-Machines, of which the following is a specification, to wit:

This invention relates to brick-machines; and it consists in certain novel peculiarities of the construction and arrangement of the same, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my inachine. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlargedv detail view of the ejecting-roller; and Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are diagram views illustrating the positions assumed by the pressing mechanism during a single revolution of the machine.

a represents the base of my machine,on which is secured the main frame a', of suitable size and form for the purpose in view. In the rear end of this frame is journaled the drivingshaft b, on which is a suitable belt-pulley, b', for communicating motion to the machine. This shaft is also provided with a pinion, bt', which meshes with and drives aiarge gear, b3, on ashaft-,b4,wliich extends across the machine, and is provided on each end with a pinion, b5, which pinions engage and drive a pair of gears, c, upon the main shaft c. In the present case, the machine being of small size, this shaft is cranked in its center, as at c2, for connection to the pitman; but in machines of greater capacity I would prefer to provide two pitmen, one connected to a wrist-pin upon cach of the gears, c, which in large machines would insure an even motion of the pressurelinks and prevent their being twisted under strain.

At a suitable point in the forward part of the main frame are secured the mold-boxes d, of any desired number; but two are herein represented. A plate or table, d', is secured upon the frame in rear of and flush with the upper edges of these molds, and a delivery-table, d2, for receiving the completed bricks, is secured Serial No. 197,880. (No model.)

in a similar position in front 0f the molds, as will be seen in Figs. l and 2. The upper lungers or dies e and the lower ones, e of. D 7 7 7 a number corresponding to the mold-boxes, are respectively secured to and carried by the shafts e2 which are secured in suitable boxes, e, sliding in vertical slots or guides in the main frame, which guides retain the shafts and dies in their proper working position with reference to the molds.

To the lower die-shaft, es, is hinged a toggle casting or arm, f, and at each side of the main frame the lower end of this toggle-arm is connected by linksf with a suitable stud, f2, on the side of the main frame, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. The upper ends of these links are slotted, as at f, to permit the ejectment of thel pressed brick, as will be presently explained. The upper die-shaft, e", is also at each end connected by linksf with the 1inksf,forn1ing an exceedingly strong connection between the upper and lower plu ngers or dies to draw them together in applying the pressure. The pitman c connects the cranked, shaft c' with the lower end of the arms f, as inrFig. 2, and serves to transmit the motion of the gearing to the pressing mechanism.

The supply-hoppers g are placed upon the machine in rear of the mold-boxes over the plate d', and are preferably so divided as to present a bottom opening corresponding with each mold-box. These hoppers are incased in a jacket or casing, g,which is connected with suitable steam-supply pipes, and Ithus heat the clay or other material to be used before it is pressed into the molds. To more fully heat this material through its center I pass steamconnections gfL through the hoppers, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The molds in which the bricks are pressed are also provided with steam-jackets, as at g, in order that the material may be kept hot while under operation, which adds greatly to the value and appearance of the brick.

Beneath the lower ends of the hoppers, upon the plate d, are arranged the feeders, which consist of suitably-sized frames h, provided with a cut-off plate, h', and sliding back and forth beneath the hoppers and over the molds.

Between the feeders passes a rod, h2, on the forward end of which is a transverse bar, h3,

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serving as an ejectorfor the finished brick. This arm is at its rear end connected to an oscillating arm, i, pivoted on the main frame and provided with small studs or rollers, i', which are engaged and operated by cams i2 on the gears c, as in Fig. 2. This serves to give the proper reciprocating movement at intervals to the ejector, and the rod h2 is near its rear end provided with a shoulder, 7c, and the [o cutoff plate h is provided with a hinged fork or casting, k', which, when turned down, embraces this rod, and when the shoulderk contacts with it on the forward motion the feeders are carried forward to charge the mold. 5 On the reverse motion the ejector strikes and withdraws the feeders with it. By throwing up the hinged fork 7c the feeders are not operated, which is often convenient when the last brick has been pressed and it is desired to 2o eject it without again filling the molds. It will be noted that the feeders are not operated the full-stroke of the ejector, but have a dwell at each end of the stroke, thus permitting the finished brick to be pushed off and the lower plunger in position to drop before the filler or feeder starts. It will also be observed that I have constructed the feeders twice as long and only one-half as deep as the molds. This cnables me to passthe feeder and its contents 3o forward and back over the mold a sufficient distance to insure the proper filling of all parts with an equal quantity of clay, and avoid the piling ofthe material in one end of the moldboX, as is often donc, thereby producing a brick of unequal density.

The upper end of thelower plunger-arnLf, is formed on its forward side with one or more projecting ears or lugs, m, which bear upon the top of a crossvbar, m, in the main frame,

.1ro to serve in prying the brick upward during its pressure, and to aid in lifting it out of the mold, as hereinafter more particularly eX- plained.

On the back of the arm f is also formed or secured a web, having on its lower edge alifting cam, one part of which is curved concentric with the upper pivot of said arm, as at n, and the other part is at a tangent thereto, as at n. In the base of the machine is formed on 5o each side a horizontal slot, a2, (see Figs. l and 3,) in which move a pair of blocks or heads, ai, connected across the machine and carrying one or more small rollers, a", according to and corresponding with the lifting cams a n.

These sliding blocks are beveled off on their upper forward sides, as at o, and theirklower rear sides, as at o', and on the main frame are pivoted stop arms o2, which drop behind and lock the sliding blocks in their forward posi- 6o tion. Vhen the cams a n press against the rollers, this pressure rocks the sliding heads, dropping their rear ends below the stop-arms and allowing them to slide back under them. The cani having passed up, the blocks are drawn back to their position by springs o3, and the stops drop again behind them, as in the drawings.

In operation, the clay suitably pulverized and of the proper consistency is placed in the hoppers, from which it passes into the feeders and subsequently into the molds. In passing through the hoppers its motion is slow enough to enable the steam-jacket thereon to effectually and thoroughly heat it throughout, so that the moisture that may be contained therein is vaporized or turned to steam, andA and filled the mold, and been again drawn back,`

the main parts of the machine are in the position shown iu the diagram view of Fig. v4, with the pitman at the cxtreme forward end of its stroke, the upper dies lifted above the mold, and the lower dies or plungers just within the lower part of it and forming its bottom, on which the charge of clay rests. As the ma chine is started, the backward stroke of the pitman draws back thelowerends of the swinging links, and the upper dies fall upon the material and are drawn down within the mold to form the upper pressure, and they arrive at their lowest point, which is the lower ends of .the slots in which they move, as the parts assume the position of Fig. 5, and the crank has made a quarter revolution.- As the whole pressing mechanism hangs now from the stud or pin]E2 and the upper guide-slots of the main frame, it can fall no farther, and the continued rearward motion of the crank and pitman lifts the lower dies or plungers toward the upper ones and completes the lower pressure till the links are vertical and the parts are in the position of Fig. 6. During this upward pressure of the lower dies the projecting ears on the forward side of the hinged armf have contacted with their cross bar m', and the whole connected pressure mechanism is pried or lifted upward till the upper edge of the brick is flush with the upper edge of the mold, as represented. The cam-web on the rear of the arm f has at the same time pushed back and risen upon its rollers, the latter springing forward under the tangent part of the cam, as shown. The pitman and the swinging links now begin their forward motion, and the tau gent part of the cam-web, acting on the ful` crum-rollers, pries or lifts the brick with the pressure retained upon it till it is lifted entirely out of the mold, as in Fig. 7. The crank and pitman continues steadily to move forward, and the armf, swinging upon its upper pivot, is sustained at its upper position by the concentric portion of its cam-web, as in Fig. Fig. 8. At the same time the outward swing of the pressure-links lifts the upper dies free of the brick to the upper end of its guide-slot, and the ejector now moves forward, pushing the finished brick off upon the receiving-table,

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and the feeder is also carried forward to its extreme limit, as in Fig. 8, with its rear half over the mold. At this point the cam-web is moved off' its supporting-roller, and the whole pressing mechanism is allowed to fall, as in Fig. 9, with the lower plungers or dies at the bottom of t-heir guideslots, and just within the mold, while the upper plungers fall within the feeders, the contents of which at their rear end have fallen into the mold as the plungers descended. The crank now completes its stroke, again lifting the upper plungers free of the feeders, and the latter are drawn back, leaving the mold entirely and evenly filled, and the parts are again in the position of Fig. 4, and the operation is repeated indefinitely till it is desired to stop the machine,when the feeders are detached, allowing the ejector to move forward and complete its work without again filling the molds. It will be particularly observed that the pressure is alternately from first one side of the material in the mold and then the other, and also that the brick is first moved in the mold for ejectment while under the final and increasing` pressure, and that this pressure is retained upon it in full force till the finished brick is lifted completely clear of the mold and is ready for delivery, thus not only retaining the pressure for a time sufficient to cause the particles to set and become firm, but preventing any spring or expansion of the article after the pressure is released, and more fully protecting it from injuryby the lifting motion. When pressure is applied to the clay in a mold, the loose particles are shifted in position as they are compressed; but this shift ing and pressure becomes smaller in proportion as it recedes from the face of the pressingplunger, and in most bricks a very distinct line is shown (usually at the center) where this movement of the particles has taken least effect, and where there is in consequence the least density and strength. By applying the pressure first at one side and then at the other and moving the brick within the mold while the naland greatest pressure is being effected I succeed in so moving all the particles from their original position as to form a brick of equal density throughout, besides imparting to the finished brick a smooth and fine finish on its faces that cannot otherwise be had.

The clay always contains j ust sufficient moisture for proper working, and of course more or less air. The heating of the clay before using turns the moisture to steam and expels the air, as previously described, while the working condition of the material is not injured, indeed being considerably enhanced. When under subsequent pressure this steam is condensed, the moisture of the material remains the same, and there is no air to escape from the mold, and consequently no danger of injury to the brick by its compression.

It will be understood that the descent or fall of the dies when released by the rollers or stops is not in any sense so sudden as to cause able mold-boxes, in combination with the lower dies supported upon link-arms connected directly to and swinging upon the main frame, and the upper dies connected with the first links directly by a separatepair of links, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a brick-machine, the method herein described for expelling air from the clay by heating the moist clay while it is contained loosely in the hopper, and causing the vapor thus formed to expand and expel the air before entering the mold, substantially as described.

3. In a brick-machine, the combination,with the mold and the hopper, of a feeder sliding under the latter and over the former, said feeder being double the length and only onehalf the depth of the mold, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In abrickmachine,thecombination,with

the mold-boX, of a delivery-slide, and a feeder actuated thereby, and having ashorter movement than the slide, whereby it has a rest at the forward end of its stroke, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 5. Ina brick-machine,the combination,with a reciprocating delivery-slide, of a reciprocating feeder actuated by but detachable from said slide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a brickmachine, the combination, with a deliveryslide provided with a shouldered operating-rod, of a feeder provided with a hinged fork for embracing said rod, and moved withthe delivery in one direction by the shouldered rod and in the reverse direction by the slide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a brick-machine, the combination, with the mold and the dies or plungers connected by swinging arms with the actuatingpitman, of a cam projection, n, on one set of these arms, and a stop, as uf, on the main frame, with which it contacts to lift the dies and brick free of the mold, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a brick machine, the combination, with the mold and the dies or plungers connected by swinging arms with the actuatingpitman, of astop, as af, on the main frame, and. a projection or segment, as n, on one setof these arms formed with a tangent or cam portion, a', to lift the brick out of the mold, and a concentrically-curved section for holding it free of the mold while being delivered, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. Ina brick machine, the combination,

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with the mold andthe dies or plungers sliding in guides on the main frame and connected by swinging arms With the pitman, of a projecting ear on one set of arms, contacting with a stop on the main fra-nie to lift the brick Within the mold While being pressed, and a second cam projection contacting with a second stop to eject the brick from the mold, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. In a brick machine, the combination, with the lower pressure-arms provided with a cam projection, of a stop sliding in guides of the main frame as this projection rises, and provided with a spring to return it beneath the cam, substantially as and for the purpose shown anddescribed.

11. In a brickmachine, the combination, With the stop rollers, of the sliding heads on Which they are carried, beveled alternately on their upper forward and lower rear corners, and a locking-stop for the same hinged on the main frame to drop behind the heads, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a brick machine, the combination,

with a continuously-rotating crank and a pitlnan connected thereto, ofthe lower plungers, e', connected by arms or links fwith the pitman, slotted links f', connecting the latter with the main frame, and the side arnis,f", connecting the slotted links with the upper plungers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a brick-machine, the combination, With the delivery-slide and shouldered rod h2,

and a feeder, h, provided with a hinged fork,

lo', for engaging and disengaging the feeder and delivery rod at Will, of a rocking arm, i, connected to said slide and provided with pins or rollers, and actuating-cams i on the driving-gears for contacting with the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. CARMAN.

NVitn esses:

W. C. MOARTHUR, W. S. McARTi-IUR. 

